JP5351596B2 - Communication system and software module distribution method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system and a software module distribution method.

  Conventionally, in a communication terminal connected to a network, a service has been provided with a function within a range pre-installed in the communication terminal. However, as communication services, protocols, media codecs, etc. are diversified and evolved, there is a problem that communication services cannot be received due to differences in functions. Various functions can be maintained if there is relatively power, such as a personal computer (PC), but available resources are limited in home appliances, mobile phones, home gateways and other communication terminals. It is difficult to install functions that support all of them. In response to this problem, middleware specifications have been proposed that operate on a so-called OS (Operating System) and provide application software with more specific functions than the OS. For example, the OSGi (Open Service Gateway initiative) specification provides a framework based on Java (registered trademark), and can provide functions to any OS as long as a virtual machine is mounted. The environment is realized. By using this framework, the communication terminal can dynamically acquire necessary functions, and can provide a flexible service.

  As a conventional example using such middleware, there is a technique described in Patent Document 1. In this example, paying attention to the GUI (graphical user interface) for the user, regardless of where the user is, the function that provides the GUI that the user is accustomed to use is dynamically provided in a uniform procedure. The provision of a communication terminal capable of controlling devices is realized.

Japanese Patent No. 4002442

  However, the method described in Patent Document 1 is similar in directionality in that a plug-in module is dynamically provided in order to make the GUI of the communication terminal that the user normally uses and the GUI of the operation target device the same. However, the study is based on the premise that communication with the target device can be established, and it does not correspond to the case where the state of the other party to be communicated is unknown. In addition, no mechanism is provided for determining how to arrange the protocols and codecs necessary for communication services. Furthermore, there is only a one-to-one relationship between the operating side and the operated side, and no mechanism for providing functions to a plurality of devices is provided.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to enable communication between communication terminals that have not been able to communicate so far when they want to communicate. An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system and a software module distribution method in which a user can enjoy a communication service without worrying about functions installed in a communication terminal.

A software module distribution method according to a first aspect of the present invention is a software module distribution method for receiving content from a content server to which a communication terminal is connected via a network, in which a moderator existing in the network If a start request is received from a terminal, requesting the communication terminal to receive communication terminal information of the communication terminal, and the moderator requesting the content server to receive content information related to the content Step, whether or not the moderator can acquire and load the content based on the received communication terminal information and content information, and the content service requested by the communication terminal Whether or not it has necessary functions to implement In addition to determining the communication environment and specifications of the communication terminal in addition to the determination material, the step of determining which software module is necessary for the communication terminal; and the moderator acquires the content from the communication terminal when loading is not possible, characterized in that it comprises the step of transmitting the necessary software module to the communication terminal.
In the first aspect of the present invention, for example, when the moderator cannot acquire and load the content, the moderator requests the other communication terminal to transmit the communication terminal information of the other communication terminal. And the moderator determines whether the other communication terminal can convert the content based on the communication terminal information and the content information of the other communication terminal, and the other communication terminal requests And determining whether or not the software module is necessary for the other communication terminal based on the communication environment and specifications of the other communication terminal. a step of, the moderator, a when the other communication terminal can convert the content, required the said other communication terminal Sofutou And transmitting the A module.
The second aspect of the present invention is a moderator for receiving content from a content server connected via a network to a communication terminal. When a start request is received from the communication terminal, the communication terminal requests the communication terminal, Means for receiving communication terminal information of the communication terminal; means for requesting the content server to receive content information relating to the content; and the communication terminal is configured to receive content based on the received communication terminal information and content information. And whether or not the communication terminal has a function necessary for performing the requested content service, and further determines the communication environment of the communication terminal. And means for determining which software module is necessary for the communication terminal, In the case where the communication terminal that is not possible to load to obtain the content, characterized in that it comprises a means for sending the necessary software module to the communication terminal.
In the second aspect of the present invention, for example, when the communication terminal is unable to acquire and load the content, the means for requesting the other communication terminal and receiving the communication terminal information of the other communication terminal And whether the other communication terminal can convert the content based on the communication terminal information and the content information of the other communication terminal, and the other communication terminal performs the requested content service. Means for determining whether or not the other communication terminal requires a software module based on the communication environment and specifications of the other communication terminal and the other communication Means for transmitting the necessary software module to the other communication terminal when the terminal can convert the content.

  According to the present invention, even communication terminals that have not been able to communicate with each other can be immediately communicated with each other when communication is desired, and the user does not care about the functions installed in the communication terminal. And enjoy communication services.

It is a block diagram of the communication system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the moderator 1 shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of the communication terminal shown in FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart of the moderator 1 in the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart of the communication terminal B in the first embodiment. 6 is a schematic diagram of Example 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram in another case of the second embodiment. 10 is a part of a flowchart of the moderator 1 in the second embodiment. It is the remaining part of the flowchart of the moderator 1 in Example 2. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The communication system includes a moderator 1 included in the network N, a communication terminal 2 connected to the network N, and a content server 3 connected to the network N and providing services to the communication terminal 2. The moderator 1 determines a situation necessary for providing a service to the communication terminal 2, and distributes and sets software modules to the communication terminal 2.

  The communication terminal 2 is a computer such as a PC or PDA, a communication device such as a mobile phone, a fixed phone, or a home gateway, or a device such as a television, a hard disk recorder, or a set top box.

  The content server 3 is a server that provides, for example, image / video media, audio media, and the like.

  The moderator 1 manages the communication terminal 2 for providing the communication service to the user, and when the user enjoys the communication service, the software having the function when the communication terminal 2 does not have the necessary function Modules are provided.

  For example, when you want to make a videophone call between communication terminals, one side has the function to provide a videophone service, but the other side does not have a function, it has a videophone function immediately It is the role of providing software modules and setting them in a service startable state.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the moderator 1.

  The moderator 1 includes a communication unit 11 that communicates with the communication terminal 2, the content server 3, and the like, a communication terminal information storage unit 12 that manages communication terminal information related to the communication terminal 2, and the communication terminal that requested the service start and the other party A communication terminal management unit 13 that acquires and manages communication terminal information of a communication terminal, a service provision policy handle unit 14 that determines which software module is required for which communication terminal based on the acquired communication terminal information, and a communication terminal 2 includes a software module storage unit 15 that manages software modules that can be used in 2 and a software module management unit 16 that acquires, distributes, and manages software modules to be transmitted to the communication terminal 2.

  Only one moderator 1 may exist in the network N, or a plurality of moderators 1 may exist in a distributed manner. Therefore, when the network N is large-scale, the communication terminal information storage unit 12 and the software module storage unit 15 can be distributed not in each moderator 1 but in the network N.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the communication terminal 2.

  The communication terminal 2 is a computer such as a PC or PDA, a communication device such as a mobile phone or a fixed phone, a home gateway, or a device such as a television, a hard disk recorder, or a set top box. Only the part to be shown is shown.

  The communication terminal 2 is connected to the network N and manages the communication unit 21 that performs communication, the performance of the communication terminal 2 such as the CPU usage rate and the memory usage rate, and the communication terminal information related to the communication terminal 2 such as communication services and calls. A communication terminal management unit 22, a policy handle unit 23 for exchanging serviceability with the moderator 1 based on the usage status of the communication terminal 2 itself, an input unit 24 for accepting an operation from the user, An output unit 25 for outputting information, an information input / output unit 26 for managing those inputs / outputs, a software module management unit 27 for managing a life cycle by receiving and executing software modules transmitted from the moderator 1, and a service And a software module 28 for actually providing the functions.

  The software module 28 can operate on middleware that does not depend on the operating system of the communication terminal, and can transmit, receive, update, and delete. In addition, the software module 28 is assumed to be a module written in the existing Java (registered trademark) language that realizes multi-platform support, but can also be constructed using a small runtime written in the C language. It is possible.

  Hereinafter, description will be made using a specific example. In order to distinguish between the plurality of communication terminals 2, notations such as “communication terminal A” and “communication terminal B” are used.

  In the first embodiment, an example of a two-way communication service such as a telephone call or chat using the communication terminal 2 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of the first embodiment.

  S1: First, when the communication terminal A wants to communicate with the communication terminal B, such as a voice call or a video chat, the input unit 24 of the communication terminal A accepts an operation from the user, thereby issuing a start request to the moderator 1. Send.

  S3: Moderator 1 requests communication terminal A for communication terminal information.

  S5: The communication terminal A transmits communication terminal information such as a communication function possessed by itself.

  S7: On the other hand, the moderator 1 requests the communication terminal B for communication terminal information.

  S9 to S11: The communication terminal B determines its own communication environment and communication terminal usage status, and if the service can be started, sends a permission notice together with its own communication terminal information.

  S11: If the communication terminal B cannot start service with the communication terminal A, the communication terminal B sends a rejection notification to the moderator 1.

  S13 to S15: The moderator 1 that has obtained the communication terminal information from both communication terminals determines whether there is a function necessary for carrying out the requested communication service, or considers the communication environment, the communication terminal specifications, etc. The necessary software modules and setting information are distributed to the communication terminals A and B. In some cases, these are distributed to one communication terminal.

  S17: The distributed communication terminal installs and sets the software module, and returns an ACK to the moderator 1 when the communication service can be started.

  S19: When the moderator 1 receives the ACK, the moderator 1 notifies the communication terminal A of the completion of preparation.

  S21: The communication terminal A that has received the notification of completion of preparation starts communication with the communication terminal B.

  Note that S3 and S7 are executed by the communication terminal management unit 13 of the moderator 1. S5 and 11 are executed by the communication terminal manager 22 of the communication terminals A and B.

  Further, S13 is executed by the service providing policy handle unit 14 of the moderator 1.

  Further, S15 is executed by the software module management unit 16 of the moderator 1 and the software module management unit 27 of the communication terminals A and B.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the moderator 1 in the first embodiment.

  S31 to S35: First, after waiting for a start request from the communication terminal A and receiving the start request, the communication terminal A and the communication terminal B that is a request destination of communication are requested for communication terminal information.

  S35 to S38: If the requested communication terminal B cannot start communication, the request is rejected.

  S35 to S39: If communication can be started, communication terminal information of communication terminal B is acquired.

  The communication terminal information includes performance such as CPU usage rate and memory usage rate, communication terminal usage status such as communication service and telephone call, and communication environment. The communication environment is acquired by monitoring communication conditions such as communication bands of the communication terminals A and B when acquiring communication terminal information.

  S41 to S43: If software modules necessary for communication are available, service (communication) is started.

  S51 to S59: If not, a necessary function to be provided to the communication terminal is searched. Next, based on the communication terminal information acquired earlier, the communication environment, CPU usage rate, memory usage rate, etc. of both communication terminals are compared to determine a communication terminal to be provided with an additional function and distribute software modules.

  S61-S63: After receiving ACK from the communication terminal that distributed the software module, a notification of completion of preparation is transmitted to both communication terminals, and the service is started. After the service ends, the software module that provides the additional function provided by the moderator 1 may be discarded or may be possessed as it is.

  Note that S33, S35, and S39 are executed by the communication terminal management unit 13 of the moderator 1.

  Further, S37, S41, S51, and S53 are executed by the service providing policy handle unit 14 of the moderator 1.

  Further, S55 and S57 are executed by the software module management unit 16 of the moderator 1.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the communication terminal B in the first embodiment.

  S71 to S77: First, a request for communication terminal information from the moderator 1 is waited. When the request is received, the state is confirmed from its own communication terminal information, and it is determined whether or not communication with the communication terminal A can be started.

  S79: When the start is impossible, a rejection notice is transmitted to the moderator 1.

  S81 to S83: If communication is possible, the communication terminal B itself determines whether the software module can be accepted, and if possible, notifies the moderator 1 of permission.

S85 to S87: If the software module cannot be accepted, a conditional permission notification is made and the software module is received.
Note that S73 and S75 are executed by the communication terminal management unit 22 of the communication terminal B.

  S77 and S81 are executed by the policy handle unit 23 of the communication terminal B.

  Further, S87 is executed by the software module management unit 27 of the communication terminal B.

  In the second embodiment, an example of a content service that is provided on a network and acquires media content such as image / video media and audio media using a communication terminal will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of the second embodiment. .

  S101: First, when the communication terminal C wants to acquire content, the input unit 24 of the communication terminal C accepts an operation from the user, and thereby transmits a content acquisition start request to the moderator 1.

  S103: The moderator 1 requests the communication terminal C for communication terminal information.

  S105: The communication terminal C transmits communication terminal information such as a communication function possessed by itself.

  S107 to S108: On the other hand, the moderator 1 requests content information (content information) from the content server 3 and receives the content information.

  S113: The moderator 1 determines whether the communication terminal C can acquire and load the content.

  S115: The moderator 1 that has obtained the communication terminal information and the content information has necessary functions for carrying out the requested content service, considers the communication environment and the communication terminal specifications, and the necessary software modules and setting information. Is distributed to communication terminals.

  S117: The communication terminal C that received the distribution installs and sets the software module, and returns an ACK to the moderator 1 when the communication service can be started.

  S119: When the moderator 1 receives the ACK, the moderator 1 transmits a preparation completion notification to the communication terminal C.

  S121 to S123: The communication terminal C that has received the preparation completion notification requests and acquires the content, and provides the content service to the user.

  Note that S103 is executed by the communication terminal management unit 13 of the moderator 1. S105 is executed by the communication terminal management unit 22 of the communication terminal C.

  Further, S113 is executed by the service providing policy handle unit 14 of the moderator 1.

  S115 is executed by the software module management unit 16 of the moderator 1 and the software module management unit 27 of the communication terminal C.

  FIG. 10 shows a case where the communication terminal C that has requested the content service cannot accept the software module, and there is a communication terminal D that can acquire the content and convert it into a format that can be acquired by the communication terminal C. FIG.

  According to this sequence, the moderator 1 can request the communication terminal D to transcode content.

  S101: First, when the communication terminal C wants to acquire content, it requests the moderator 1 to start content acquisition.

  S103: The moderator 1 requests the communication terminal C for communication terminal information.

  S105: The communication terminal C transmits communication terminal information such as a communication function possessed by itself.

  S107 to S108: On the other hand, the moderator 1 requests content information from the content server and acquires the content information.

  S113: The moderator 1 determines whether the communication terminal C can acquire and load the content.

  If the mode of the content cannot be loaded by the communication terminal C and the moderator 1 determines that it is difficult to add the software module, the communication terminal C searches for a communication terminal that can convert the content format.

  S131 to S135: When there is such a communication terminal D, the moderator 1 requests the communication terminal D from the communication terminal D, and provides a software module as necessary.

  S141 to S147: The communication terminal D acquires the content from the content server, converts it into a format that can be loaded by the communication terminal C, and provides the content to the communication terminal C.

  The communication terminal C acquires content and provides a content service to the user.

  Note that S103 and 131 are executed by the communication terminal management unit 13 of the moderator 1. S105 and 133 are executed by the communication terminal manager 22 of the communication terminals C and D.

  Further, S135 is executed by the software module management unit 16 of the moderator 1 and the software module management unit 27 of the communication terminal D.

  Further, S113 is executed by the service providing policy handle unit 14 of the moderator 1.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the moderator 1 in the second embodiment.

  S201 to S205: First, a start request from the communication terminal C is waited. When the start request is received, the communication terminal C is requested for the communication terminal information, the content information is received from the content server, and the content type is confirmed.

  S207 to S209: After the information is acquired, the communication terminal C determines whether the corresponding content can be acquired and loaded, and if it can be acquired, the content service is started as it is.

  S211 to S213: Otherwise, based on the communication terminal information of the communication terminal C, it is determined from the communication environment, CPU usage rate, memory usage rate, etc. whether the software module can be accepted.

  S215 to 219: If acceptance is possible, a software module that enables loading of content is provided to the communication terminal C, and content service provision to the user is started.

  S221: When the communication terminal C cannot acquire the software module, the content is acquired and it is confirmed whether there is a communication terminal capable of format conversion.

  S223: If there is no such communication terminal, a service start impossible notification is transmitted to communication terminal C.

  If there is such a communication terminal, the communication terminal D is set according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, and after the preparation is completed, the service is started. After the service ends, the software module that provides the additional function provided by the moderator 1 may be discarded or may be possessed as it is.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the moderator 1 for the communication terminal D that is requested to perform content format conversion processing.

  S301 to S303: The moderator 1 determines whether the communication terminal D can perform such format conversion or the like. If it is not possible, a service start failure notification is sent to the communication terminal C (FIG. 11: S223).

S307 to S317: If possible, depending on communication terminal information of communication terminal D, if communication function, CPU usage rate, memory usage rate, etc., add function or software module is unnecessary, request communication terminal D for format conversion, etc. To do. On the other hand, if necessary, it is determined whether the software module can be accepted by the communication terminal D, and if possible, the software module is provided and the service is started. If the software module cannot be provided, a service start impossible notification is given (FIG. 11: S223).
The communication terminal D that has received the distribution installs and sets the software module, and returns an ACK to the moderator 1 when the communication service can be started.

  Note that S203, S301, and S307 are executed by the communication terminal management unit 13 of the moderator 1.

  Further, S207, S211, S213, S221, S303, S309, S311, and S315 are executed by the service providing policy handle unit 14 of the moderator 1.

  Further, S215 and S317 are executed by the software module management unit 16 of the moderator 1.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, even communication terminals that have not been able to communicate so far can communicate by dynamically providing software modules when communication is desired. It becomes. For example, when the protocol for communication is different, it can be dealt with by adding a protocol stack. In addition, it is possible to provide a media codec that is unique to a service provider, and it can be expected that the evolution of functions of communication terminals will accelerate.

  Furthermore, various types of content can be used without worrying about the communication terminal, and the service provider can provide a wide range of services. For example, even if the video codec is not compatible with content, it can be supported by adding a software module. It is also possible to always provide the latest codec to the terminal. Furthermore, even when the specification of the requesting communication terminal is low, it is possible to provide a function distribution type service in which the content format is converted by another device and transmitted to the requesting terminal.

  A computer program for causing a computer to function as the above communication system is stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a magnetic tape, and distributed for display. The computer program may be transmitted via a communication network such as the Internet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Moderator 2 ... Communication terminal 3 ... Content server 11 ... Communication part 12 ... Communication terminal information storage part 13 ... Communication terminal management part 14 ... Service provision policy handle part 15 ... Software module storage part 16 ... Software module management part 21 ... Communication Unit 22 ... Communication terminal management unit 23 ... Policy handle unit 24 ... Input unit 25 ... Output unit 26 ... Information input / output unit 27 ... Software module management unit 28 ... Software module

Claims (5)

A software module distribution method for receiving content from a content server to which a communication terminal is connected via a network,
If the moderator present in the network receives a start request from the communication terminal, requesting the communication terminal to receive the communication terminal information of the communication terminal;
The moderator requests the content server to receive content information about the content;
Based on the received communication terminal information and content information, the moderator determines whether or not the communication terminal can acquire and load content, and the communication terminal performs the requested content service. Determining whether or not the communication terminal has the necessary functions, and in addition to determining the communication environment and specifications of the communication terminal in addition to the determination material, determining which software module is required for the communication terminal;
The moderator, when the communication terminal that is not possible to load to obtain the content and the software module distribution method characterized by including the step of transmitting the necessary software module to the communication terminal. The moderator requesting another communication terminal and receiving the communication terminal information of the other communication terminal when the communication terminal cannot acquire and load the content; and
Based on the communication terminal information and content information of the other communication terminal, the moderator determines whether or not the other communication terminal can convert the content, and the other communication terminal performs the requested content service. Determining whether or not it has the necessary functions to determine which software module is required for the other communication terminal based on the communication environment and specifications of the other communication terminal;
2. The software module distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the moderator includes a step of transmitting the necessary software module to the other communication terminal when the other communication terminal can convert the content. . A moderator for receiving content from a content server connected via a network by a communication terminal,
Means for requesting the communication terminal if receiving a start request from the communication terminal and receiving communication terminal information of the communication terminal;
Means for requesting the content server to receive content information relating to the content;
Based on the received communication terminal information and content information, whether or not the communication terminal can acquire and load the content, and functions necessary for the communication terminal to perform the requested content service In addition to determining the communication environment and specifications of the communication terminal in addition to the determination material, means for determining which software module is necessary for the communication terminal;
Moderator said communication terminal is loaded acquires the content when not possible, characterized in that it comprises means for transmitting the necessary software module to the communication terminal. Means for requesting another communication terminal and receiving the communication terminal information of the other communication terminal when the communication terminal cannot obtain and load the content;
Whether or not the other communication terminal can convert the content based on the communication terminal information and the content information of the other communication terminal, and is necessary for the other communication terminal to perform the requested content service Means for determining whether or not a software module is necessary for the other communication terminal based on the communication environment and specifications of the other communication terminal;
The moderator according to claim 3, further comprising: means for transmitting the necessary software module to the other communication terminal when the other communication terminal can convert the content.   A computer program for causing a computer to function as the moderator according to claim 3.

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